The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-02-26

the harbor, ami their seamen, TO the land
and naval forces of America aud France
:, lO7 prisoners. This was piece Of very
effective strategy. lie had made great
show before the whole country Of nassing n
large army TO drive the British from New
YORK. As soon as he could secure the en-
trance OF French vessels Of war, TO hem in
the English ships of war on the Chesapeake
he swooped down on Yorktown and made
his capture. This virtually ended the war
IL was his character rs n man, that gave
Washington his prominence as captain. His
high morality, his intelligence, his calm
judgment, has dignity Of deporlm ent, sell
possession and self reliance His utter des
tiluiion Of a personal, sinister ambition, his
singleness of aim, entire devotion TO the
public good, steadiness of temper, his pat
riot'sm, the independence Of mis- position in
secured fortune, his marvellous industry, his
attention to details everywhere and always;
his strong sense of duty and the untarnished
purity Of his life his noble person, .
though " even God did seem to set his seal
TO give the world assurance Of man" One
who ultimately shodld fill the world with
his own and his country's glory Among
his great successes for the first FIVE years
were those like that he won in the neighbor
hood of Boston, in the winter Of 10 and rs;
viz: the surrounding Of almost insuQerable
obstacles in prosecuting campaigns without
means and materials of war. lie said, 81
cannot help acknowledging that have many
disagreeable sensations on account Of NY
situations fer to have the eyes Of the whole
continent Fixed upon me, with any ious ex.
pectatioD Of hearing Of some great event
and to be restrained in every military oper
alton for want Of the necessary means to
carry it on, is not very pleasing, especially
as the means used to eoncsa. our redtnes'
from The enemy concealed il also from our
friends, and add to their wonder
1t should be mentioned here tina, Mrs
Washington, with such stores as she could
accumulate and convey, spent the winter
with her husband, who invariably remained
with his army.
November 25th, 1888, peace and indepen'
dence secured, the British forces evacuated
New York and Washington entered. Dec
4th, he took farewell Of the principal officers
on the 18th he resigned his commission be-
fore congress and returned to private life.
After the final adoption ofthe constitution
ne was the choice Of the nation as president
With great reluctance he assented, but only
the condition on which he would accept in
l775 the post OF commanders IN chief, viz
that he should serve without remuneration
his necessary expenses only being paid. lie
flied out two presidential terms declining
further to serve. He was I3 years old when
appointed comma nder.in chief; 81 al his re.
tirement; Gj when leaving the presidential
chair in 1897. On Friday, Dec. 18th, 1899
exposure to rain produced inflammation ofthe
threat lie expired On the night of Satur
day, Dec. 18th, 1899, fully aware Of the GER
tain,y of his decesse.
The simplicity of his home aud the stateli
ness of manners, were in contrast with those
In our day. Al Presidential receptions,
pbnnl banda oil
had his hair powdered, and in the fifth year
of his administration, invariably retired at
ten clock at night Mrs. Washington had
her spinning wheels and her looms in her
house and constantly in operation. She took
careful oversight Of her domestic affairs. Al
his Inauguration, the General, who always
dressed IN black and wore the cooked hat
d" wore = full suit Of fine cloth, the hsndiwork
eff his own household" Mrs. Washington
was very plain in dress and displayed little
taste for luxurious ornament or jewelry. AT
ball given in New Jersey, in honor to her,
self, she wore " simple russell gown and
white handkerchief about her neck; setting
an example 20 the women Of the revolution.
On one occasion she gave proof Of her sue
cess in domestic manufactures by exhibition
of two Of her dresses, composed Of cotton,
striped with silk, and entirely home made
The silk stripes were woven from rawlings
Of brown silk stockings, and old crimson
chair covers The contamination of her
many trials, 10 the loss of her husband, Col.
Onel Curtis, then OF their three children, one
before the second marriage, then the lovely
daughter Of about sixteen, and finally Of the
remaining son at %, came 80 heavily iu the
death Of the General, that when she with
drew from the side Of his ded Of death, she
never again entered that room. She could
be courageous no more.
" The memory Of his faintest tone,
In the deep midnight, came upon her soul.
Two and a half years passed by. On a
bright spring morning she gave her blessing
to those about her and sank quietly away in
1901.
Activity, usefulness, and cheerfulness
had been her characteristics Her sons
wife writes: "She paid attention to her
- n